Norwalk Public Schools is launching an exciting new opportunity for high school students. This September, the Norwalk Early College Academy (NECA) will open for incoming 9th grade students. NECA is based on the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) model, an innovative program that is a collaboration of IBM and various public partners.

Norwalk Early College Academy (NECA) will be a “school within a school” at Norwalk High School that includes grades 9 to 14. Within this six-year timeframe, students earn not only a high school diploma, but also an Associate in Applied Science degree from Norwalk Community College, along with the skills and experience they need for jobs in the Information Technology (IT) industry.

This innovative academy will be a part of the Norwalk public school system, and is open to all Norwalk students, at no cost to students and their families. There are no tests or screening required for admission. Admittance will be determined for 100 incoming 9th graders via a lottery system.

How Norwalk Early College Academy Works

Alongside regular, core high school courses such as English and the Social Sciences, NECA will focus on mastery of STEM skills (science, tech­nology, engineering and math). To make sure that students are ready for college level classes, additional academic support will be provided outside of regular schools hours, including after school and over the summer.

Students will also participate in an ongoing Workplace Learning curriculum to gain the experience needed to work in technology in a corporate setting. For example, all students are matched in one-on-one relationships with mentors from IBM or another corporation, participate in workplace visits, and tackle real-world projects through internships and apprenticeships.

Schedule of Information Sessions

To learn more about Norwalk Early College Academy and whether it may be right for your student, we invite you to attend one of the following information sessions. Speakers from Norwalk Public Schools, Norwalk Community College and IBM will talk about the curriculum and courses, intern and mentor opportunities, and how the application and lottery process will work.

Note: Additional information sessions will be scheduled for the week of April 28 at other locations throughout Norwalk. Check back here for more information.